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The nightmare before Christmas

Almost as famous as Santa Claus are the season's top villains; Scrooge, the Grinch and even the Abominable Snowman.
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Jean Van Der Merwe practices his puppetry skills before the drama club's big performance of the year.

Almost as famous as Santa Claus are the season's top villains; Scrooge, the Grinch and even the Abominable Snowman.

This season, the North Battleford Comprehensive High School's drama club will be exploring the theme of villainy with their December 'diabolical' presentation, consisting of five separate plays.

Kali Weber, the drama teacher, said the production will be unique not only for it's theme, but because it's a puppet show - a first for the club.

During last year's winter break, Weber attended a 15-day seminar on puppetry and decided to put her new knowledge to use.

Divided into five groups, the drama club has been working feverishly, writing their own plays and scripts centred on the theme of villainy, and even creating their own puppets and props.

"I think we're all feeling a little bit crunched, but we're excited," said Weber.

Although the content is appropriate for all ages, Weber said the diabolical theme will be humourous and enjoyed by older audiences as well.

"A lot of it isn't what you'd expect," she said.

Tessa Powers, whose group consists of Shea O'Bertos, Dylan Sylvester, Taisley Isaac, Sarah Knutson, Colton Hutchinson and Charlotte Baxter-Smith, said although making the puppets was difficult, the process of creating their own play was exciting and she thinks the audience will enjoy their work.

"I think it might make them laugh, there's some pretty good stuff in there," said Powers, adding their villain is a big evil fish.

Baxter-Smith said, "Agreeing on ideas was pretty hard," explaining the group all wrote down their ideas for a play and together picked the best ideas, settling for a combination of O'Bertos' and Sylvester's ideas.

There will be three performances, each with different ticket prices. The first performance will be Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. and will cost $5, the second, Dec. 9 at 6:30 p.m. will include a prime rib dinner and cost $20, and the third, Dec. 10 at 7:30 p.m. will feature dessert and cost $8.

To purchase tickets, call 445-6101.